Fundi, P.Githaiga, J.Mwangi, E.2025-05-202025-05-202022Fundi, P., Mwangi, E., & Githaiga, J. (2022). Temporal variability in food choice and availability for the semi‐captive critically endangered mountain bongo in the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. African Journal of Ecology, 60(4), 908-916.https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Temporal+Variability+in+Food+Choice+and+Availability+for+the+Semi-+Captive+Critically+Endangered+Mountain+Bongo+in+the+Mount+Kenya+Wildlife+Conservancy&btnG=#d=gs_cit&t=1747722834848&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3A-BQuWPgcVCcJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D0%26hl%3Denhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/18308Research ArticleDietary selection and preference are poorly understood for the mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci Thomas, 1902). Focal animal sampling was used to de- termine seasonal food choice and preference for captive-bred individuals at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, in preparation for reintroduction into the wild at a proposed sanctuary within the surrounding forest reserve. Food availability was assessed using nested plot sampling. Plant life forms contributed differently to the diet (H[4] = 28.93, p < 0.01), with shrubs accounting for 55%. Relative abundance of the principal food plant species influenced their contribution to the diet in both wet and dry seasons (χ2 = 7.33, df = 1, p = 0.07; χ2 = 2.47, df = 1, p = 0.116 respectively). Despite having a high relative abundance (1.88%), Trichocladus ellipticus Eckl. & Zeyh. was less preferred during the wet season (E* = 0.20). It was however most preferred during the dry season (E* = 0.78), possibly reflecting relative nutritive value. The bon- gos included a large proportion of grass (27%) in their diet like other browsing herbi-vores that inhabit forest glades. Compared to the conservancy, plant foods were well represented at the proposed sanctuary with 72% and 80% similarity in both wet and dry seasons. This potentially enhances the likelihood of bongos adapting and estab- lishing once reintroduced.enDiet SelectionFood Preference Mount Kenya Wildlife ConservancyMount Kenya Forest ReserveTragelaphus Eurycerus IsaaciArticle